Description ‘Chinas’ are not made in China. They are made of china, mostly in France and Czechoslovakia. Most are antique. Beginning in the early 1800s they were first made of porcelain. Mid 1800s glass was added to the porcelain to make the buttons stronger and thus they became ceramic. The last china factory in France closed in 1951. Collecting ‘China’ Buttons. Some Button Collectors only collect ‘chinas’. There are many different categories and sections within each category. You’ll find bullseyes, ink wells, calico and hobnail. Whistle buttons, hollow eyes, panty waist and fish-eyes. There’s ringers, saucers, pie crust, stencils and hollow eyes, mounds, lustre, contour balls and……… Range in size from 8mm to 15mm
